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Biology

Migrates in large schools over great distances along the shore. Larvae are found in surface waters between 19.6° and 29.8°C with salinities of 28.3 to 37.4 ppt. Feeds mainly on small fishes (clupeoids and anchovies), few quantities of penaeoid shrimps and cephalopods. Casting, live-bait fishing, jigging, and drift fishing are also employed in capturing this species. Aerial spotting is sometimes used in locating the fish. Marketed fresh, frozen or smoked; eaten pan-fried, broiled and baked.

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Scomberomorus cavalla, like other scombrid fishes, is elongate, compressed and fusiform. There are 2 dorsal fins, the first of which is triangular in shape and blue-black in color anteriorly. The seconddorsal fin is greenish in color and concave, originating slightly in front of the anal fin, which is similarly shaped and equivalent in size. A series of 7 - 10 (usually 8) finlets lie posterior to both the second dorsal fin and the anal fin (Collette and Nauen 1983). The lateral line curves slightly downward towards the caudal peduncle. The caudal fin is high and lunate, with a narrow caudal peduncle that has a keel. The pectoral fins are relatively long and lack scales. Body color is typically dark blue to blue-green dorsally, silver laterally. The sides are marked with small, yellow to orange oblong spots above the lateral line. The pectoral fins are pale yellow with orange-brown edges, while the anal and ventral fins are white (Berrien and Finan 1977ab).

Earll, R.E. 1883. The Spanish mackerel, Cybium maculatum (Mitch.), Ag.; its natural history and artificial propagation, with an account of its origin and development of the fishery. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish Fish. (1880) pt. 8:395-424.

Godcharles, M.F. and M.D. Murphy. 1986. Species Profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Reports. 82(11.58). U.S Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4. 18 pp.

Williams, R.O. and R. G. Taylor. 1980. The effect of water temperature and winter air temperature on springtime migrations of king mackerel in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, Florida. Fla. Sci. 43(suppl):26. (abstr).

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Western Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951) to Cape Cod to Miami (USA) and Gulf of Mexico coasts from Florida, USA to Yucatan, Mexico. Three species namely: Scomberomorus tritor in eastern Atlantic, Scomberomorus sierra in eastern Pacific, and Scomberomorus brasiliensis in the Caribbean and Atlantic coast of South America have often been confused with this species. Absent in the Bahamas (Ref. 26938).

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In the western Atlantic, Scomberomorus maculatus inhabits coastal waters from the Gulf of Maine to the Yucatan Peninsula (Collette et al. 1978; Godcharles and Murphy 1986). During the summer months, they are commonly found as far north as Chesapeake Bay, while in fall and winter, they are most common in the waters off central and southern Florida. Spanish mackerel typically come closer to beaches and enter the lower reaches of estuaries more often than do king mackerel (Godcharles and Murphy 1986). Spanish mackerel from as many as 6 geographic areas may mix in the waters off south Florida in the winter months, however, electrophoretic evidence suggests that the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico populations spawn in the northern parts of their respective ranges, in isolation from other populations (Wollam 1970). Further, the Gulf population is distinct from Spanish mackerel captured along the eastern U.S. coast (Skow and Chittenden 1981). Though not considered common within the India River Lagoon, adult Spanish mackerel are sometimes observed around inlet areas. Juveniles may utilize seagrasses as nursery habitat.

Earll, R.E. 1883. The Spanish mackerel, Cybium maculatum (Mitch.), Ag.; its natural history and artificial propagation, with an account of its origin and development of the fishery. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish Fish. (1880) pt. 8:395-424.

Godcharles, M.F. and M.D. Murphy. 1986. Species Profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Reports. 82(11.58). U.S Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4. 18 pp.

Williams, R.O. and R. G. Taylor. 1980. The effect of water temperature and winter air temperature on springtime migrations of king mackerel in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, Florida. Fla. Sci. 43(suppl):26. (abstr).

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Spanish mackerels live approximately 5-8 years (Kilma 1959; Powell 1975) and may weigh over 12 pounds. Males reach approximately 50 cm fork length (FL), while females reach 70 cm FL (Johnson et al. 1983; Godcharles and Murphy 1986). Powell (1975) reported that females grow faster than males, and that fish of the same age tend to be smaller in the Gulf of Mexico than in the South Atlantic. Schmidt et al. (1993) reported that females live longer and grow larger that males.

Earll, R.E. 1883. The Spanish mackerel, Cybium maculatum (Mitch.), Ag.; its natural history and artificial propagation, with an account of its origin and development of the fishery. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish Fish. (1880) pt. 8:395-424.

Godcharles, M.F. and M.D. Murphy. 1986. Species Profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Reports. 82(11.58). U.S Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4. 18 pp.

Williams, R.O. and R. G. Taylor. 1980. The effect of water temperature and winter air temperature on springtime migrations of king mackerel in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, Florida. Fla. Sci. 43(suppl):26. (abstr).

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Look Alikes

The Spanish mackerel is potentially confused with both the cero, Scomberomorus regalis, and the king mackerel, S. cavalla. It is easily distinguished from the king mackerel by its oblong yellowish spots above the lateral line, which does not curve downward at the second dorsal fin as is observed in king mackerel. The cero is distinguished from the Spanish mackerel by 1 - 2 thin, bronze-colored stripes that run mid-laterally along the body, and by scales on the pectoral fins, a feature absent from both Spanish and king mackerels (Collette and Nauen 1983).

Earll, R.E. 1883. The Spanish mackerel, Cybium maculatum (Mitch.), Ag.; its natural history and artificial propagation, with an account of its origin and development of the fishery. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish Fish. (1880) pt. 8:395-424.

Godcharles, M.F. and M.D. Murphy. 1986. Species Profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Reports. 82(11.58). U.S Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4. 18 pp.

Williams, R.O. and R. G. Taylor. 1980. The effect of water temperature and winter air temperature on springtime migrations of king mackerel in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, Florida. Fla. Sci. 43(suppl):26. (abstr).

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Habitat and Ecology

This is a migratory species that moves north along the Atlantic coast of the United States and north and west along the Gulf of Mexico in the spring and returns in the fall (Collette and Russo 1984). It can also enter estuaries. Larvae are found in surface waters between 19.6–29.8°C with a salinity of 28.3–37.4 ppt. It feeds mainly on small fishes (clupeoids and anchovies), but also on penaeoid shrimps and cephalopods.

Maximum size length estimate this species is 91 cm fork length (FL). Sexual maturity in Florida is attained by age two at 25–32 cm FL for females and 28–34 cm for males (Klima 1959). This species lives to nine years in the Gulf of Mexico (Fable et al. 1987), and to 11 years in the Atlantic (Schmidt et al.1993). Generation length is estimated to be four years.

The all-tackle angling record is of a 5.89 kg fish taken in Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina in 1987 (IGFA 2011). This is a migratory species that moves north along the Atlantic coast of the United States and north and west along the Gulf of Mexico in the spring and returns in the fall (Collette and Russo 1984).

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Migration

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

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Trophic Strategy

Migrates northward from Florida along the Atlantic coast of the USA to Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island bet. Late Feb.-Jul., and back in fall. It overwinters in Florida. There are schools migrating westwards in early spring, reaching Texas in late March. North-south movements along the Mexican coast occur between Aug.-Nov. and back in Mar.-Apr. Feeds mainly on small fishes (clupeoids and anchovies), few quantities of penaeoid shrimps and cephalopods. Juveniles have a higher percentage of anchovies in their diet than adults. Piscivore (Ref. 57616). Casting, live-bait fishing, jigging, and drift fishing are also employed in capturing this species. Aerial spotting is sometimes used in locating the fish.

Earll, R.E. 1883. The Spanish mackerel, Cybium maculatum (Mitch.), Ag.; its natural history and artificial propagation, with an account of its origin and development of the fishery. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish Fish. (1880) pt. 8:395-424.

Godcharles, M.F. and M.D. Murphy. 1986. Species Profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Reports. 82(11.58). U.S Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4. 18 pp.

Williams, R.O. and R. G. Taylor. 1980. The effect of water temperature and winter air temperature on springtime migrations of king mackerel in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, Florida. Fla. Sci. 43(suppl):26. (abstr).

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Associations

Juvenile king mackerel sometimes mix with schools of Spanish mackerel (Godcharles and Murphy 1986). Larvae and juveniles of king mackerel are consumed as prey by species such as the little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) and dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus). Larger king mackerel are sought after by the little tunny, bottlenosed dolphin (Tursiops trucatus) (Cato and Prochaska 1976), and various shark species, including the tiger shark (Galeoverdo cuverie), bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), and dusky shark (C. obscurus) (Bigelow and Schroeder 1948).

Earll, R.E. 1883. The Spanish mackerel, Cybium maculatum (Mitch.), Ag.; its natural history and artificial propagation, with an account of its origin and development of the fishery. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish Fish. (1880) pt. 8:395-424.

Godcharles, M.F. and M.D. Murphy. 1986. Species Profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Reports. 82(11.58). U.S Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4. 18 pp.

Williams, R.O. and R. G. Taylor. 1980. The effect of water temperature and winter air temperature on springtime migrations of king mackerel in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, Florida. Fla. Sci. 43(suppl):26. (abstr).

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Population Biology

Spanish mackerels are not abundant inside the IRL except near inlet mouths; however, they are known to aggregate in large numbers in offshore waters and support a commercial fishery. Locomotion: Though scombrid fishes are known for high performance locomotion, data are limited on the precise mechanisms that enhance their swimming abilities. Thrust is generated with lift-based swimming whereby the narrow caudal peduncle and high, lunate caudal fin produce more than 90% of the thrust, with few significant lateral movements in other areas of the body.It has been hypothesized that the finlets on the posterior dorsal and ventral surfaces of scombrids aid locomotion, and may, in fact, be accessory locomotor structures that act to deflect water longitudinally to the area of the keels, where flow is then accelerated (Walters 1962). A study by Nauen and Lauder (2001) supported this hypothesis and showed that finlets do redirect cross-peduncle flow in the horizontal plane.

Earll, R.E. 1883. The Spanish mackerel, Cybium maculatum (Mitch.), Ag.; its natural history and artificial propagation, with an account of its origin and development of the fishery. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish Fish. (1880) pt. 8:395-424.

Godcharles, M.F. and M.D. Murphy. 1986. Species Profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Reports. 82(11.58). U.S Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4. 18 pp.

Williams, R.O. and R. G. Taylor. 1980. The effect of water temperature and winter air temperature on springtime migrations of king mackerel in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, Florida. Fla. Sci. 43(suppl):26. (abstr).

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Reproduction

Spanish mackerel have an extended spawning season (Powell 1975, Schmidt et al. 1993), with ripe females collected from April through September in Florida. Larvae are collected from May through September at locations between Cape Canaveral, Florida north to Cape Fear, North Carolina.Spawning season begins in April in the Carolinas, June in Chesapeake Bay, and August - September in New Jersey and New York (Earll, 1883). Water temperatures in excess of 25ºC, and salinity between 30 - 36 parts per thousand (ppt) are spawning triggers (Hoese 1907; Beaumariage 1970). Larval collection data indicate that spawning occurs at depths of 12-35 meters over the inner continental shelf (McEachran et al 1980). Female Spanish mackerel mature in Florida waters by approximately Age 1, when they reach 25 - 35 cm FL. Males mature at a slightly smaller size (Schmidt et al. 1993). Fecundity increases with increasing length and weight (Finucane and Collins unpublished in: Godcharles and Murphy 1986), with females between 35 - 66 cm FL producing between 194,000 to 1.5 million eggs.

Earll, R.E. 1883. The Spanish mackerel, Cybium maculatum (Mitch.), Ag.; its natural history and artificial propagation, with an account of its origin and development of the fishery. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish Fish. (1880) pt. 8:395-424.

Godcharles, M.F. and M.D. Murphy. 1986. Species Profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Reports. 82(11.58). U.S Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4. 18 pp.

Williams, R.O. and R. G. Taylor. 1980. The effect of water temperature and winter air temperature on springtime migrations of king mackerel in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, Florida. Fla. Sci. 43(suppl):26. (abstr).

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Growth

Pelagic eggs measuring 0.9 - 1.3 mm in diameter are round and transparent, containing a single oil droplet. Hatching occurs approximately 25 hours after fertilization at water temperatures averaging 26ºC (Smith 1907).Larvae and early juveniles grow 1.9 mm per day for approximately the first 23 days of life. From 23 - 40 days, growth is accelerated, with young fishes growing as much as 5 mm per day. Thereafter, growth slows to approximately 2.1 mm per day (Schmidt et al. 1993, Peters and Schmidt 1997).

Earll, R.E. 1883. The Spanish mackerel, Cybium maculatum (Mitch.), Ag.; its natural history and artificial propagation, with an account of its origin and development of the fishery. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish Fish. (1880) pt. 8:395-424.

Godcharles, M.F. and M.D. Murphy. 1986. Species Profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Reports. 82(11.58). U.S Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4. 18 pp.

Williams, R.O. and R. G. Taylor. 1980. The effect of water temperature and winter air temperature on springtime migrations of king mackerel in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, Florida. Fla. Sci. 43(suppl):26. (abstr).

CATGCCTTTGTTATGATTTTCTTTATAGTAATACCAATCATAATCCGAGGGTTTGGAAACTGACTTATTCCTTTAATG---ATCGGGGCCCCTGATATAGCATTCCCCCGAATGAACAACATGAGCTTCTGACTCTTACCCCCCTCTTTCCTGCTTCTCCTCGCCTCTTCTGGAGTCGAAGCCGGGGCCGGAACTGGTTGAACAGTTTACCCACCCCTTGCCGGTAATCTAGCCCACGCTGGAGCATCCGTCGATTTA---ACCATCTTCTCTCTTCATCTCGCAGGTATTTCTTCAATTCTTGGGGCAATTAACTTTATCACAACAATTATTAACATGAAACCCCCAGCCATCTCCCAGTACCAAACACCTTTATTTGTATGAGCAGTACTAATTACAGCTGTTCTACTCCTTCTATCACTTCCAGTTCTTGCCGCC---GGCATTACAATGCTCCTTACAGACCGAAATCTAAATACAACCTTCTTTGACCCCGCAGGAGGGGGAGACCCAATCCTGTATCAGCACCTATTCTGATTCTTCGGTCACCCCGAAGTCTATATTCTTATCCTTCCCGGATTTGGAATAATTTCCCACATTGTTGCCTACTACTCCGGTAAAAAA---GAACCTTTCGGATACATGGGAATGGTATGAGCCATGATGGCCATCGGCCTACTAGGATTTATTGTTTGAGCCCATCACATATTTACAGTAGGTATAGACGTAGACACACGAGCATACTTCACATCCGCAACTATAATCATCGCAATTCCAACTGGGGTAAAAGTCTTTAGCTGACTC---GCAACCCTTCACGGAGGT---GCCGTTAAATGAGAAACTCCCCTCCTTTGAGCTATCGGCTTCATCTTCCTCTTTACAGTAGGGGGACTAACAGGAATCGTCCTAGCCAATTCATCTCTAGATATTGTTCTCCACGACACATATTACGTAGTAGCCCACTTCCACTATGTT---CTCTCAATGGGGGCTGTATTTGCCATCGTTGCC---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------GCT-- end --

The species is under a conservative management regime in the north Atlantic U.S. and assessments estimate that the stock is not over-fished and not undergoing overfishing. Based on a NOAA 2003 (US Gulf of Mexico) and SEDAR 2008 (Southeast Atlantic) assessments there is no current indication of decline. Recent data from the southern Gulf of Mexico and Yucatan indicate that the species is fully-exploited. This species is listed as Least Concern.

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Trends

Population

This is an important recreational, commercial and artisanal species throughout its range. Homogenous distribution of genetic variance among samples from widely spaced geographic regions (Chesapeake Bay, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Gulf of Mexico) was consistent with the hypothesis that Spanish Mackerel comprise a single intermingling genetic stock (Buonaccorsi et al. 2001). Although there are no genetic differences between the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico stocks, they are managed separately. Total catch reported is probably underestimated due to reporting of unclassified Scomberomorus species captures as well as the probably inadequate reporting of artisanal and recreational catches (Manooch et al. 1978). International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) annual catches reached 16,725 t in 1996. Average estimated landings from 1980 to 2004 is 12,739 t with a drop-off between 1998 through 2003 where landings oscillated between 8,000–10,000 t then increasing again to just below 14,000 t in 2004 (ICCAT 2006).

In the 1980s, this species was considered overfished throughout its US range. Posterior management measures have been effective in rebuilding the stocks to currently healthy levels. The spawning stock biomass (SSB) is currently higher than the SSB maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and fishing mortality (F) is lower than FMSY for both the U.S. south Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico stocks (SEDAR 2008, NMFS 2003). The fishery independent Seamap index from 1990 to 2007 shows that there is a lot of variation in age one biomass, but there is no current indication of decline (SEDAR 2008).

In Mexico, a 1994 assessment found that the stock on the Mexican side was slightly under-exploited (Chavez 1994). More recent data from the Institute Nacional de Pesca (2004) show this species to be fully-exploited. Catches have been in decline since 1994 in Mexico however, there is uncertainty surrounding the causes of the decline.

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Threats

This is a highly commercial fish taken by gillnets, purse seines and on line gear. Casting, live-bait fishing, jigging, and drift fishing are also employed in capturing this species in the recreational fishery. Aerial spotting is sometimes used in locating the fish.

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Management

Conservation Actions

This species is managed in the US under the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources. The management bodies are the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC). The management plan establishes a number of conservation measures that have helped to recuperate Spanish Mackerel fisheries including determine quotas, bag limits and trip limits. Drift gill nets were banned in 1989.

There are no known species specific conservation actions in place in Mexico.

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Fisheries Importance: COMMERCIAL FISHERY: Florida accounts for 78% of the national commercial harvest of Spanish mackerel annually. The bulk of the commercial catch in east central Florida is taken between Cape Canaveral and Palm Beach, Florida (Klima 1959; Powell 1975). On the West coast of Florida, most of the catch is taken south of Tampa Bay and Ft. Myers. The statewide commercial catch of Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus, between the years 1987 - 2001 was 65.0 million pounds, with a dollar value of over $28.0 million. Within the 5 county area encompassing the IRL (Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin Counties) the commercial catch of Scomberomorus maculatus accounts for approximately 57% of the statewide total, with a harvest of 37.1 million pounds, and a value in excess of $16.5 million.This ranks the Spanish mackerel eighth in commercial value within the IRL, and fourth in pounds harvested.Figure 1 below shows the dollar value of the Spanish mackerel fishery to IRL counties by year. As shown, commercial catch ranged from a low of $642,494 in 1992 to highs of over $1.3 million in 1988, 1993 and 1995. St. Lucie and Martin Counties in the southern portion of the IRL account for the bulk of the commercial harvest, with 45% and 27% of the catch respectively (Figure 2). After 1992, a significant portion of the harvest (21%) was taken off Brevard County. From 1987 - 2001, the annual dollar value to St. Lucie County ranged from $244,792 to $750554, averaging $488,167. In Martin County, the annual dollar amount ranged from $106,247 to $549,314, averaging $300,321; and in Brevard County, the annual dollar amount ranged from $18,823 to $568,467, averaging $232,685.RECREATIONAL FISHERY: Spanish mackerel are also prized as an excellent recreation species. (NMFS 2005; Godcharles and Murphy 1986). Recreational anglers harvest Spanish mackerel seasonally throughout Florida's coastal zone, with the bulk of the catch taken in east central Florida, and along the Gulf coast (FWRI unpubl.). Total landings in Florida for Spanish mackerel in 2001 were 7.3 million pounds, with the recreational catch accounting for 59% of this total (FWRI unpbl.). The information below reflects angler survey information taken from the 5-county area that encompasses the Indian River Lagoon. Over 2 million Spanish mackerel, the bulk of the recreational harvest (73.5%), was taken in coastal waters from the shoreline to 3 miles offshore. Catches in waters 3 to 200 miles offshore account for 9.3% of the total recreational catch, while inland waters other than the Indian River Lagoon account for 8.0% of the catch. The Indian River Lagoon accounted for 9.2% of the total recreational harvest between 1997 and 2004, with approximately 256,000 Spanish mackerel captured.

Earll, R.E. 1883. The Spanish mackerel, Cybium maculatum (Mitch.), Ag.; its natural history and artificial propagation, with an account of its origin and development of the fishery. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish Fish. (1880) pt. 8:395-424.

Godcharles, M.F. and M.D. Murphy. 1986. Species Profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Reports. 82(11.58). U.S Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4. 18 pp.

Williams, R.O. and R. G. Taylor. 1980. The effect of water temperature and winter air temperature on springtime migrations of king mackerel in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, Florida. Fla. Sci. 43(suppl):26. (abstr).

Contents

Description

The fish exhibits a green back; its sides are silvery marked with about three rows of round to elliptical yellow spots. Lateral line gradually curving down from the upper end of the gill cover toward caudal peduncle. The first (spiny) dorsal fin is black at the front. Posterior membranes are white with a black edge. Its single row of cutting edged teeth in each jaw (around sixty-four teeth in all) are large, uniform, closely spaced and flattened from side to side. As with the King mackerel and the Cero mackerel, these teeth look very similar to those of the Bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix.

Distribution/habitat

Spanish mackerel occur seasonally from the Yucatán peninsula, Mexico, as far north as Cape Cod, Massachusetts. They are a shallow water species, preferring sand bottom in depths of 10 to 40 feet (3 to 12 m), occasionally found as deep as 80 feet (24 m).

Migration patterns

It appears that one Atlantic and one or more Gulf groups of Spanish mackerel occur in Florida waters. With rising water temperatures, the Atlantic group migrates along the Atlantic coast of the United States from Miami Florida, beginning in late February through July reaching as far as southern Cape Cod, Massachusetts, then returning in fall. An Eastern Gulf group moves northward from the Florida Keys during late winter and spring, appearing off the central West Coast of Florida about April 1. Movement continues westward and terminates along the northern Texas coast. During fall, this group migrates back to its wintering grounds in the Keys.

Life history

The Gulf group of Spanish mackerel spawn in batches from May to September off shore of Texas, off the Gulf shore of Florida as early as April in some years. The Atlantic group spawns starting in April off the Carolinas and from late August to late September in the northernmost part of its range. Spanish mackerel mature by age-1 at a fork length (FL) of 14 inches (36 cm). Females live longer and grow to larger sizes than males. Females may live as long as 11 years, growing to 11 pounds (5.0 kg) and 33 inches (84 cm) FL. Males reach about age-6 and 19 inches (48 cm) FL.[3]

Fisheries

Commercial capture of Atlantic mackerel in tonnes from 1950 to 2009

Fishing gear and methods

Spanish mackerel are a highly valued fish throughout their range from North Carolina to Texas. Recreational anglers catch Spanish mackerel from boats while trolling or drifting and from boats, piers, jetties, and beaches by casting spoons and jigs and live-bait fishing. Fast lure retrieves are key to catching these quick fish. Commercial methods are primarily run-around gill netting, and rarely, by trolling lures similar to those used by recreational anglers.

Management

Spanish mackerel are managed in commercial and recreation fisheries with bag limits, size limits, commercial trip limits, and with only seasonal fishing allowed. The management of mackerel has been considered a success because the population used to be in decline, but is now on the rise without overfishing occurring.

Nutrition and processing

Spanish mackerel are primarily marketed fresh or frozen as fillets as commercially caught fish are too small to sell in the form of steaks. Their raw flesh is white. They may be prepared by broiling, frying, baking or, rarely, by smoking.

The Spanish mackerel is also a popular fish among devotees of sushi who prize it for its flavor.

The lateral line on Spanish and Cero mackerel slopes gradually from the top edge of the gill to the tail. In contrast that of the king mackerel takes an abrupt drop at mid-body.

The first (spiny) dorsal on Spanish and Cero mackerel has a prominent black patch. The King mackerel has none. As all three species normally keep the first dorsal folded back in a body groove, this difference is not immediately evident.

Spanish mackerel have prominent yellow spots on the flanks at all sizes. In addition to such spots, Cero mackerel have one or more yellow stripes along the centerline. Young King mackerel have similar, but slightly smaller spots; these fade away on individuals weighing over 10 pounds (4.5 kg), but they may still be seen as spots of slightly darker green on the upper back from some angles of view.

World wide there are many members of this genus quite similar to one or another of these three species. In particular, off Mexico, Atlantic Spanish mackerel may be confused with Serra Spanish mackerel(Scomberomorus brasiliensis) which may appear in the same area.